The Land is Bright
(1941)
By George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber
Cast size: 19 men, 13 women; one interior set
In their desire to rise up the social ladder over the ensuing decades, they encounter challenges to the roots of their fortune, and gradually learn the nature of patriotic sacrifice in order to become true Americans.
Manuscript only; contact: laurence.maslon@nyu.edu
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The Plot
Another dynastic epic from the typewriters of Kaufman and Ferber, but this time with a serious tone and a pointed intention.
The Kincaid family has made its money from some pretty rough-and-ready tactics during the Western expansion of the railroads in the 19th Century. In their desire to rise up the social ladder over the ensuing decades, they encounter challenges to the roots of their fortune, and gradually learn the nature of patriotic sacrifice in order to become true Americans.
As World War II glimmers in the background, Kaufman and Ferber make a case for the duty of all Americans to bond together for a common good.
Other Plays in the Catalogue
A farce about the small-town mania for joining fraternal organizations. Our hero, Jim Helton, nearly bankrupts his entire family savings in order to host the national convention for his beloved Knights of Corsica. Common sense prevails at the very last minute.
In a rare collaboration with his Algonquin Round Table comrade, Alexander Woollcott, Kaufman wrote his only murder mystery.
The Butter and Egg Man opened on September 23, 1925 at the Longacre Theatre. It ran for 243 performances. There have been several film versions and revivals at regional theaters. It was revived in 2000 at the Atlantic Theatre Company, directed by David Pittu and featuring Michael McGrath and John Ellison Conlee.
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Contact Us Today
Interested in bringing George S. Kaufman’s timeless plays to your stage?
Please refer to the contact information for each specific play on the various collection pages for direct amateur and professional licensing information.
Plays are represented by Concord Theatricals, Broadway Dramatic Licensing, and Music Theatre International respectively
If you are interested in first-class performance or film/television rights:
In the US, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
CPK Artists, LLC
In the UK, George S. Kaufman’s plays are represented by:
Alan Brodie Representation
For more information about George S. Kaufman or this website, contact:
Laurence Maslon
Literary Trustee, George S. Kaufman Estate
